Machine for injecting fluids into meat products

ABSTRACT

A machine for injecting fluids into meat products comprising a table having a conveyor means movably mounted thereon adapted to convey the meat product from one end to the other. A pair of reciprocating arms are pivotally connected at one end thereof to opposite sides of the table adjacent one end thereof. A power means is provided for causing the reciprocating arms to be moved upwardly and downwardly with respect to the conveyor means. A power means is also provided for coordinating the movement of the conveyor with the movement of the reciprocating arms so that the meat product is successively moved in predetermined increments on the conveyor. A fluid manifold is rigidly secured to the other ends of the reciprocating arms and extends therebetween across the table transverse to the direction of travel of the meat product. The manifold comprises a plurality of vertically movable injector needles mounted in bores formed therein which are adapted to pierce the meat product and inject fluid thereinto when the reciprocating arms are moved downwardly with respect to the conveyor. The manifold has a manifold cover provided thereon which is in communication with a source of the fluid to be injected. Valving and actuating means therefor is provided which is adapted to cause the fluid to be discharged from the injector needles only when the manifold and needles have been lowered with respect to the meat product by the reciprocating arms thereby conserving the fluid. The design of the injector needles is such that the crystallization of salts thereon is prevented thereby preventing plugging of the needles. The bore extending through the injector needles is also designed so as to prevent plugging thereof. An accumulator means is also disclosed to provide a greater volume of fluid to the injector needles in an instantaneous fashion.

United States Patent Townsend 11 1 3,687,058 Aug. 29,1972

[54] MACHINE FOR INJECTING FLUIDS INTO MEAT PRODUCTS [72] Inventor: Ray T. Townsend, Des Moines, Iowa [73] Assignee: Townsend Engineering Company,

Des Moines, Iowa 22 Filed: Feb. 12,1970

21 Appl.No.: 10,908

Rogers et ..99/257 Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Assistant Examiner-Arthur 0. Henderson AttorneyZarley, McKee & Thomte ABSTRACT A machine for injecting fluids into meat products mp n a ab!eli9vineawnx wa senfl sxe zly mounted thereon adapted to convey the meat product from one end to the other. A pair-of reciprocating arms are pivotally connected at one end thereof to opposite sides of the table adjacent one'end thereof. A power means is provided for causing the reciprocating arms to be moved upwardly and downwardly with respect to the conveyor means. A power means is also provided for coordinating the movement of the conveyor with the movement of the reciprocating arms so that the meat product is successively moved in I predetermined increments on the conveyor. A fluid manifold is rigidly secured to the other ends of the reciprocating arms and-extends therebetween across the table transverse to the direction of travel of the meat product. The manifold comprises a plurality of vertically movable injector needles mounted in bores formed therein which are adapted to pierce the meat product and inject fluid thereinto when the reciprocating arms are moved downwardly with respect to the conveyor. The manifold has a manifold cover provided thereon which is in communication with a source of the fluid to be injected. Valving and actuating means therefor is provided which is adapted to cause the fluid to be discharged from the injector needles only when the manifold and needles have been lowered with respect to the meat product by the reciprocating arms thereby conserving the fluid. The design of the injector needles is such that the crystallization of salts thereon is prevented thereby preventing plugging of the needles. The bore extending through the injector needles is also designed so as to prevent plugging thereof. An accumulator means is also disclosed to provide a greater volume of fluid to the injector needles in an instantaneous fashion.

13 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures MACHINE FOR INJECTING FLUIDS INTO MEAT PRODUCTS Fluid injector machines are utilized to inject fluids such as pickling brines, flavoring additives, etc. into meat products. The pickling brines are injected in certain 'meat products such as pork bellies, boneend hams, boneless hams, boneless pork butts, jowls, bacon squares, etc. to cure the same. Additionally, certain other fluids are injected into various meat products for such purposes as protein alteration, flavoring, etc.

I-Ieretofore, the fluid injector machines generally employed a plurality of reciprocal injector needles which pierced the meat so as to inject the fluid thereinto. In those machines, fluid was continually pumped through the needles which resulted in considerable fluid being spilled when the needles were not penetrating the meat product. An attempt was made to reduce the amount of wasted fluid by collecting the spilled fluid and recirculating the same through the fluid pump for subsequent use. The spilled fluid picked up blood and particles of meat which resulted in the particles accumulating in the pump and also resulted in the needles becoming plugged. Government regulations pertaining to such meat processing requires that the pumps, hoses, etc. of those machines be disassembled every few hours so that the interiors thereof could be cleaned to eliminate the possibility of bacteria or the like from forming.

therein. It can be appreciated that the fluid pumps and hoses of those machines is an ideal place for bacteria or the like to be harbored, due to the meat particles, blood, etc. accumulating therein. Thus, the machines referred to above have a great deal of down time since they must be constantly disassembled for clean- Additionally, the machines referred to above do not provide any convenient means for shutting off the flow of fluid through the injector needles that are not being used for a particular product run.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products which is efficient in operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products which eliminates the need for constantly disassembling the same for cleaning purposes.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products wherein fluid is discharged from the injector needles only when the injector needles have been lowered into piercing position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products including means for preventing the plugging of the injector needles.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products including injector needles designed to prevent the crystallization of salts thereon and designed to prevent the plugging of the bore extending therethrough.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products including means for shutting off the flow of fluid to those injector needles and not being utilized for a particular product run.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products including an injector manifold which is easily cleaned or serviced.

A further object of this invention is to provide an injector fluid accumulator means for providing a large volume of injector fluid to the injector needles in an instantaneous manner. 7

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products which is durable in use, refined in appearance and economical of manufacture.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the machine with portions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the machine.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the machine with portions of the machine cut away to fully illustrate the invention.

-' FIG. 4 is a side 'elevational view of the machine.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view as seen along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4 with portions thereof broken away to more fully illustrate the invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view as seen along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view as seen along lines 7-7 of FIG. 5 illustrating the injector needles piercing a meat product.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of an injector needle as seen along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of an injector needle.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view as seen along lines 10-10 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 l is a schematic view of the fluid circuit of this invention.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the ratchet means for driving the conveyor.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view as seen along lines 13-13 of FIG. 12 with portions thereof cutaway to more fully illustrate the invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view illustrating the manner in which one end of the conveyor is adjustably supported.

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view illustrating the power trainof the invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the check valve of this invention as seen along lines 16-16 of FIG. 1.

The injector machine of this invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 comprising generally a table 11. Table 11 is provided with vertical legs 12, 14, 16 and 18 having suitable leveling devices 20 on their lower ends. Braces 22 and 24 extend between legs 12 and 14 while braces 26 and 28 extend between legs 14 and 16. Braces 30 and 32 are secured to and extend between legs 16 and I8 and legs 12 and 18 have braces 34 and 36 secured thereto and extending therebetween. A vertical brace 38 is secured to and extends between braces 26 and 28 (FIG. 1) and brace 40 is secured to and extends between braces 34 and 36 (FIG. 2).

An electric motor 42 is mounted on a support extending between braces 28 and 36 and has a drive pulley 44 provided thereon. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a housing 46 is positioned on the machine comprising housing walls 48, 50, 52 and 54. Shaft 56 has its opposite ends rotably mounted on housing walls and 54 and has spaced apart pulleys 58 and 60 mounted thereon for rotation therewith. Drive belt 62 extends around and between pulleys 44 and 58 to permit motor 42 to drive-shaft 56.

which receives a drive belt 68 extending from pulley 60. An idler pulley 70 is also provided to permit the tension in belt 68 to be adjusted.

Eccentrics 72 and 74 are provided on the opposite ends of shaft 64 and have length adjustable turnbuckle type rods 76 and-78 pivotally secured thereto respectively. The numerals 80 and 82 refer to arms which are pivotally connected intermediate their ends to the upper ends of rods 76 and 78 respectively. The lower ends of arms 80 and 82 are pivotally mounted on shafts 84 and 86 respectively which are rotably supported on extensions 88 and 90 respectively. Roller shaft 92 extends through and between extensions 88 and 90 and has a roller 94 mounted thereon including sprockets 96 adapted to engage and support an endless conveyor chain means 98 extending therearound which is comprised of a plurality of chain links connected together as illustratedin FIG. 14. Shaft adjustment means 100 1 and 102 are secured to the opposite ends of shaft 92 to permit the tension of-chain means 98 to be adjustably varied. The other end of the conveyor chain means 98 is supported by shaft 104 which is rotatably supported on extensions 106 and 108. As seen in FIG. 3, shaft 104 includes sprockets 110which engage the chain means 98 in conventional fashion.

The means for driving the chain means 98 is shown in detail in FIG. 12. As seen in FIG. 12, shaft 104 has a plate 112 keyed thereto by key 114. Ratchet wheel 116 is secured to plate 112 by screws 118 and includes a plurality of spaced apart driving ratchet teeth 120. Shaft 104 has a bearing means 122 mounted on its one end which is secured'to extension 108 by bolts 124 (FIG. 12).

Collar 126 rotatably embraces shaft 104 between bearingmeans 122 and ratchet wheel 116 and has a sleeve'portion 128 connected thereto which extends downwardly therefrom (FIG. 13). Shaft 130 extends through sleeve portion 128 as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 and has a stop pin 132 extending through its upper end. The lower end of shaft 130 is pivotally connected to one end of rod 134 by pin 135. Rod 134 is pivotally connected at its other end to eccentric 74.

Shaft 130 is selectively adjustably movable in sleeve 5 128 by means of a clamp portion 136 provided thereon. Therelative position of shaft 130 with respect to sleeve 128 may be selectively changed when clamp portion 136 is loosened. When tightened, clamp portion 136 clamps onto shaft 130 and prevents movement thereof with respect to sleeve 128. Pin 132 prevents the shaft 130 from dropping out of sleeve 128 when the clamp portion 136 is loosened.

Shaft 138 is rotatably mounted on sleeve 128 as illustrated in FIG. 13 and has a dog 140 secured thereto at one end thereof adapted to engage the teeth 120 and rotate the ratchet wheel 116 in one direction (clockwise) when rod 134 is moved to the left as viewed in FIG. 13. Finger 142 is secured to the other end of shaft 138 and has a spring 144 secured at one end thereto. The other end of spring 144 is secured to sleeve 128 to bias the dog 140 into engagement with the teeth as rod 134 is moved to the left( FIG. 13) and to permit the dog to ratchet over the teeth 120 when the rod 134 is moved to the right as viewed in FIG. 13. The numeral 146 generally designates an injector manifold which is secured to the ends of. arms 80 and 82. Manifold 146 has a pair of outwardly extending stubs 148 and 150 which are secured to the ends of arms 80 and 82 by caps 152 and 154 respectively. Manifold 146 includes opposite ends 156 and 158, sides 160 and 162, top 164 and bottom 166. Manifold 146 has a plurality of closely spaced vertical bores-168 formed therein. The bores 168 are preferably arranged in rows as illustrated in FIG. 5 so that the bores in each row are spaced approximately three-quarters of an inch from the bores in the same row, each bore being spaced approximately one-half inch from the bores in the adjacent row.

The lower ends of each of the bores 168 have a nee dle support 170 mounted therein having a bore 172 extending therethrough. An injector needle 174 is slidably mounted in each of the bores 168 comprising generally an upper end 176, lower end 178 and an outwardly extending shank portion 180. Needle .174 includes a bore 182 extending therethrough, the upper end of which tapers at 184 as illustrated in FIG. 9 to provide an orifice 186 which is considerably smaller than the diameter of the bore 182. As shown in FIG. 9, the area 188 around orifice 186 is very small to prevent the crystallization of salts around the orifice. Seal 190 embraces needle 174 above shank and sealably engages the wall surface of the bore 168 to prevent fluid leakage therearound.

An arcuate manifold cover 192 is secured to manifold 146 by means of plates 194 and 196 and bolts 198 and 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7. Cover 192 is provided with a tapered compartment area 202 (FIG. 6) which has a progressively decreasing volume from end 158 to end 156 so that the fluid 204 will be supplied substantially equally to each of the bores 168. One end of pipe 206 is in communication with compartment 202 while the other end thereof is in communication with compartment 208 of valve 210. As illustrated in FIG. 6, an air relief valve 212 is provided on manifold cover 192 and is designed to permit a small flow of air outwardly therethrough. Valve 212 has a one-way check valve mechanism therein so as to prevent air from being drawn therethrough into compartment 202. Preferably, air relief valve 212 permits the escape of air from compartment 202 up to approximately one pound per square inch.

Valve 210 includes a vertically disposed bore 214 extending downwardly from compartment 208 and having a rod 220 movably mounted thereon. Rod 220 has a piston 222 on its lower end which vertically slides in the bore 214 and which is biased downwardly to the position of FIG. 10 by a spring 224 the upper end of which engages a snap ring spring keeper 216. Seal 228 embraces rod 220 in the manner seen in FIG. 10 to prevent the escape of fluid from compartment 208 into compartment 214. Valve member 230 is secured to the upper end of rod 220 by any convenientmeans and is adapted to sealably engage the surface 234 of valve 210 to prevent the flow of fluid from compartment 236 to compartment 208 when in the position of FIG. 10. Compartment 236 is defined by the dome 238 provided on the valve 210. Compartment 236 of dome 238 is fluidly connected to a T-shaped fitting 241 by a hose or pipe 258. Fitting 241 is connected to a check valve 242 by pipe 243- Pipe 246 connects check valve 242 with fluid reservoir 248. Pipe 250 or other suitable conduit connects reservoir 248 to a filter 252 as illustrated in FIG. 1 1. Hose 254 or the like connects filter 252 with a fluid pump 256 which is fluidly connected to the fitting 241 by pipe 257. Pump 256 is driven by its connection with motor 42 as seen in FIG. 15. Pump 256 is operated continually'throughout the operation of the machine as will be described later while check valve 242 serves as a relief valve designed to permit recirculation of the fluid back to the reservoir 248 when valve member 230 is seated on surface 234 and upon a predetermined pressure being attained in compartment 236. The numeral 259 refers generally to a vertically adjustable pin which is secured to the machine in the path of rod 220 adapted to engage and move the rod 220 upwardly in bore 214 to open valve member 230 when the arms 80 and 82 have lowered the manifold 146 and valve 210 to the position illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 4.

The details of check valve 242 are shown in FIG. 16 where it can be seenthat the check valve 242 comprises generally a body portion 259 having end caps 261 and 263 secured thereto. Body portion 259 has a bore 265 extending therethrough which has a plunger 267 movably mounted thereon. One end of bore 265 is in communication with pipe 243 which is secured to end cap 261 while the other end of bore 265 is in communication with pipe 269 which is secured to end cap 263. Pipe 269 is secured to a source of compressed air having a predetermined pressure. Plunger 267 has a bore 271 extending into one end thereof as shown in FIG. 16. A plurality of radially extending ports 273 extend outwardly from bore 271 through plunger 267 to permit communication between bore 271 and pipe 246 which is secured to body portion 259 as shown in FIG. 16. Plunger 267 is provided with spaced apart seals 275 and 275' which sealably engage the wall surface of bore 265. Body portion 259 is provided with an exhaust port 277 which provides communication between the atmosphere and bore 265 to vent air and fluid leakage in a breathing manner as the plunger moves. As seen in FIG. 16, plunger 267 is provided with an enlarged diameter portion at one of its ends thereby defining a shoulder 279. Shoulder 279 is adapted to engage shoulder 281 of bore 265 when plunger 267 is in the position of FIG. 16. Plunger 267 has a bore 283 extending into its other end to provide an air chamber at one end of the plunger.

As seen in FIG. 7, dome 238 includes a cylinder shaped chamber 285 having a piston 287 movably mounted therein. One end of chamber 285 has an opening 289 communicating with compartment 236 while the other end of chamber 285 is in communication with an air pipe 291 which is connected to a source of compressed air having a predetermined pressure.

The numeral 260 generally refers to an adjustable stripper plate which is selectively spaced above the conveyor chain means 98 and extends transversely with respect thereto. Plate 260 is provided with a plurality of openings 262 formed therein each of which receive one of the needles 174 extendingtherethrough as seen in FIG. 7. The opposite sides of plate 260 are secured to the upper ends of arms 264 and 266 respectively which 5 extend downwardly therefrom. The lower ends of arms 264 and 266 are pivotally connected to one end of arms 268 and 270 respectively. Shaft 272 is rotatably mounted on and extends between braces 28 and 36 (FIG. 1). The other ends of arms 268 and 270 are rigidly secured to shaft 272 so that arms 264 and 266, and hence stripper plate 260, will either be raised or lowered depending upon the direction of rotation of shaft 272. Arm 274 is rigidly connected to one end of shaft 272 and has an adjustment rod 276 secured to the upper end thereof as shown in FIG. 4. Rod 276 extends through brace 40 and has an adjustment nut 278 threadably mounted thereon to permit the selective positioning of rod 276 withrespect to the brace 40 which causes the stripper plate 260 to be selectively positioned over the chain means 98.

A fluid collection trough 280 is supported beneath the conveyor chain means 98 and is adapted to collect excess or spilled fluid. A suitable drain hose is connected to the trough 280 for draining the fluid collected thereon to a suitable floor drain or the like. The numeral 282 referes generally to a shield or cover which extends over a portion of the machine as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Preferably, the end portions 284 and 286 of cover 282 are suitably pivotally connected to the shafts 84 and 86 respectively to permit the entire cover to be easily pivotally moved with respect to the machine for cleaning and servicing purposes.

The normal method of operation is as follows. The motor 42 and pump 256 are energized which causes the fluid to be supplied to the valve 210 while the conveyor chain means 98 is moved on the table. Rotation of shaft 64 by the motor 42 causes the rod 134 to be reciprocated in the direction illustrated by arrows in FIGS. 13 and so that dog 140 will cause the ratchet wheel 116 to be successively moved in increments which in turn causes the conveyor chain means 98 to be moved in successive increments rather than at a constant and continuous manner. As previously stated, the amount of each successive movement of the conveyor chain means 98 may be varied by changing the relationship of the shaft 130 with respect to the sleeve portion 128 which will vary the stroke of the sleeve 128. The rotation of shaft 64 by the motor 42 as illustrated in- FIG. 15 will cause the eccentrics 72 and 74 to reciprocate the arms 80 and 82 in the direction of the arrows as illustrated in FIG. 15 and as illustrated in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the arm 82 is shown in its lower most position while the phantom or broken lines generally depict the arm 82 in substantially its upper position with respect to the conveyor chain means. When the arms 80 and 82 are in their raised position, nanifold 146 is positioned so that the needles 174 are positioned above the stripper plate 260. As the arms 80 and 82 are reciprocated downwardly, the needles 174 move through the openings 262 in the stripper plate 260 and %.;ngage the meat product 288 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 illustrates the meat product 288 as including a bone 290 which is engaged by some of the injector needles. When the injector needles engage a bone or the like, the needles may slidably move upwardly in their bores 168 as illustrated in FIG. 7 which prevents damage to the needle. The needles will only move upwardly in the bores 168 upon engagement of a bone or the like since the fluid pressure thereabove maintains them in their normal extended position. The small area 188 around the orifice 186 of the needles 174 is such that salt crystallization thereon is prevented which eliminates the possibility that the orifice may become plugged. Additionally, the tapered surface 184 is designed so as to provide an extremely small orifice 186 at the upper end of the bore 182 so that if a foreign particle enters orifice 186,- it will not become caught in the bore 182 since the bore tapers outwardly from the small orifice 186 to the larger bore portion immediately below the tapered portion 184. If the bore 182 had a constant diameter from its lower to upper ends, the possibility would exist that particles entering the upper end of the bore 182 could become clogged or caught in the bore.

The upward movement of the arms 80 and 82 causes the manifold 146 to be raised from the position of FIG. 7 which causes the needles 174 to be' withdrawn from the meat product 288. The stripper plate 260 serves to prevent the meat product 288 from moving upwardly with the needles and provides a means for stripping the needles from the meat. Thus, for each increment of movement of the conveyor chain means 98, the manifold 146 is lowered so that the needles 174 will pierce the meat product 288 which insures that the meat product will be properly injected throughout its entire area. The fact that the manifold 146 has an easily removable manifold cover 102 permits various covers to be fabricated for the manifold 146 to permit various of the bores 168 to be closed for particular product runs. For example, if a product run is being made wherein the product is extremely narrow, a manifold cover 192 would be installed on the manifold 146, the cover 192 having means thereon to close the bores 168 at the opposite ends of the manifold 146 so that fluid would not be supplied to the needles-not ordinarily being used. I

It is preferred that the conveyor chain means 98 be moved in increments corresponding to one-half of the width of the needle area less one-fourth inch so that the meat is pierced approximately every one-fourth inch even though the spacing of the needles is on Ia-inch centers. This feature provides an increase in the area in the manifold heat 146 for mounting the needles while providing a more concentrated injecting pattern in the meat.

As stated before, the fluid pump 256 is continually operated. When manifold 146 and valve 210 is lowered by the arms 80 and 82, piston 222 of valve 210 engages the element 259 which causes rod 220 to be raised or moved upwardly in valve 216 so that valve member 230 unseats from surface 234 which causes the fluid in compartment 236 to be forced into compartment 208, through pipe 206 and into compartment 202 of manifold 146. The fluid is forced from the manifold compartment 202 into the bores 168 and is forced outwardly from the injector needles through bores 182 thereof. As arms 80 and 82 are then moved upwardly, the valve member 230 is again lowered to its seating position on surface 234 which shuts off the supply of fluid to the manifold 146. In other words, fluid is supplied to the injector needles 174 only when the manifold 146 has been lowered so that the needles 174 are penetrating the meat product 288. The fact that fluid is only discharged from the needles 174 while the needles are in the meat product 288 results in less fluid being used than if fluid were continually discharged from the needles.

When valve member 230 is open, fluid will be pumped from pump 256-through pipe 257 and fitting 241, through pipe 258, into compartment 236, through compartment 208, pipe 206 and into compartment 202 for discharge from the needles 174. As the manifold is raised with respect to the meat, the valve member 230 closes thereby permitting compartment 236 to be pressurized with the fluid. The fluid is pumped into compartment 236 until check valve 242 operates to by-pass the same as will be explained hereinafter. As fluid pressure increases in compartment 236, the piston 287 is moved towards the left as viewed in FIG. 7 against the predetermined air pressure in the left end of chamber 285. In effect, the chamber 285 and piston 287 provide a surge chamber effect tothe fluid in compartment 236. The movement of the piston 285 to the left as viewed in FIG. 7 causes the air in the left end of chamber 285 to be compressed. Upon valve member 230 opening, the compressed air in the left end of chamber 285 together with the air pressure exerted through pipe 291 causes the fluid in compartment 236 and the right end of chamber 285 to surge so that a large volume of fluid is supplied to the needles in an instantaneous manner. The accumulator arrangement of the piston 287, chamber 287 and compartment 236 provides a smooth operation while permitting the use of a much smaller fluid pump than ordinarily possible.

The amount of surge provided to the fluid depends upon the air pressure in pipes 291 and 269. The air pressure in pipe 269 normally causes plunger267 to be in the position of FIG. 16 so that the fluid pump is pumping the fluid into compartment 236. When the pressure in compartment 236 reaches a level sufficient to overcome the air pressure in pipe 269, the plunger 267 moves to the right (as viewed in FIG. 16) so that ports 273 communicate with pipe 246 which causes the fluid to be recirculated to the reservoir 248. When the pressure drops in compartment 236, the air pressure in pipe 269 causes the plunger 267 to return to the position of FIG. 16 thereby causing fluid to again be furnished to the compartment 236 of valve 210.

Thus it can be seen that an extremely efficient machine has been provided for injecting fluid into meat products which conserves the fluid being used. The fact that the machine of this invention does not recirculate spilled or excess fluid to the injector needles and fluid 'pump results in the machine being used for longer machine of this invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

I claim:

1. A machine for injecting fluids into meat products and the like, comprising,

a meat product support means,

a fluid manifold movably mounted adjacent said support means,

a first power means operatively connected to said fluid manifold for reciprocating said manifold towards or away from a meat product on said support means,

said fluid manifold being connected to a source of fluid under pressure, and having a plurality of injecting needles extending outwardly therefrom adapted to pierce the meat produce adjacent thereto when said manifold is moved towards said meat product,

valve means operatively connected to said fluid manifold and said fluid under pressure for selectively supplying said fluid to said injecting needles, said valve means being movable from closed to open positions, said valve means permitting said fluid to be supplied under pressure to said injecting,

needles when it its open position, said valve means preventing said fluid from being supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its closed position,

and valve control means for selectively opening and closing said valve means, said valve control means only opening said valve means when said manifold is near its position of maximum displacement towards said meat product,

said valve control means comprising an actuating rod secured to said support means, said valve means being mounted on said manifold for movement therewith, said valve means comprising a first fluid compartment in fluid communication with the said source of fluid pressure,

a second fluid compartment in fluid communication with said needles,

a valve seat means between said first and second fluid compartments,

a movable valve member adapted to close said valve seat means when in a first position to prevent fluid communication between said first and second fluid compartments,

said valve member adapted to open said valve seat means when in a second position to permit fluid communication between said first and second fluid compartments,

said valve member being normally positioned in its said first position,

said actuating rod operatively engaging said valve member when said manifold and valve means reaches a predetermined position of maximum displacement of said manifold towards said meat product to open said valve member with respect to said valve seat means.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein said valve member has a shaft secured thereto and extending out wardly therefrom which is engageable by said actuating rod.

3. The machine of claim 2 wherein said first shaft movably extends downwardly through a bore in said valve means, said first shaft having seal means thereon engaging said bore to prevent fluid from escaping from said valve means.

4. 'A machine for injecting fluids into meat products and the like, comprising,

a meat product support means,

a fluid manifold movably mounted adjacent said support means,

a first power means operatively connected to said fluid manifold for reciprocating said manifold towards or away from a meat product on said support means,

said fluid manifold being connected to a source of fluid under pressure, and having a plurality of injecting needles extending outwardly therefrom adapted -to pierce the meat product adjacent thereto when said manifold is moved towards said meat product,

valve means operatively connected to said fluid manifold and said fluid under pressure for selectively supplying said fluid to said injecting needles, said valve means being movable from closed to open positions, said valve means permitting said fluid to be supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its open position, said valve means preventing said fluid from being supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its closed position,

and valve control means for selectively opening and closing said valve means, saidvalve control means only opening said valve means when said manifold is near its position of maximum displacement towards said meat product,

each of said needles including opposite ends and a fluid bore extending therethrough, said fluid bore having a fluid intake orifice at one end and a fluid discharge at its other end, said intake orifice having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said fluid bore.

5. The machine of claim 4 wherein each of said needles includesa tapered bore portion extending from said intake orifice to said fluid bore, said tapered bore portion increasingly tapering outwardly from the diameter of said intake orifice to the diameter of said fluid bore.

6. The machine of claim 4 wherein said fluid intake orifice has a diameter substantially that of said one end of said needle to prevent salt crystallization on said one end of said needle around said intake orifice.

7. The machine of claim 1 wherein said first compartment is fluidly connected to a check-valve means by a first fluid conduit, said check-valve means being fluidly connected to a fluid reservoir by a second fluid conduit, said fluid reservoir being fluidly connected to a fluid pump by a third fluid conduit, said fluid pump being fluidly connected to said first compartment of said valve means by a fourth conduit, said fluid being recirculated to said reservoir through said check-valve means when said valve member is closed, said fluid being supplied to said manifold when said valve member is open.

8. The machine of claim 1 wherein said valve means includes a first surge chamber formed therein having first and second ends, a piston movably mounted in said first surge chamber, one of said surge chamber ends being in communication with said first fluid compartment, the other of said ends of said surge chamber being in communication with a source of air having a the fluid pressure in said first fluid compartment reaching a predetermined level to cause the fluid to be recirculated to said source of fluid pressure when said predetermined fluid pressure is attained in said first fluid compartment.

10. The machine of claim 9 wherein said check valve means comprises body portion having first and second ends with a bore extending therebetween, a plunger, movably mounted in said bore and being movable from first to second positions, said plunger being yieldably maintained in said first position, one end of said bore being in communication with said source of fluid pressure and with said first fluid compartment, said body portion having a conduit means in communication with said bore between the ends thereof, said conduit means being in operative communication with the upstream side of said source of fluid pressure, said plunger moving to its said second position upon the fluid pressure in said first fluid compartment reaching said predetermined level so that the conduit means is in operative communication with said one end of said bore to permit the fluid to be recirculated to the upstream side of said source of fluid pressure.

11. The machine of claim 10 wherein said second other end of said bore is in communication with a source of predetermined air pressure which normally maintains said plunger in its said first position.

12. A machine for injecting fluids into meat products and the like, comprising,

a meat product support means,

a fluid manifold movably mounted adjacent said support means,

a first power means operatively connected to said fluid manifold for reciprocating said manifold towards or away from a meat product on said sup port means,

said fluid manifold being connected to a source of fluid under pressure, and having a plurality of injecting needles extending outwardly therefrom adapted to pierce the meat product adjacent thereto when said manifold is moved towards said meat product,

valve means operatively connected to said fluid manifold and said fluid under pressure for selectively supplying said fluid to said injecting needles,

needles when in its open position, said valve means I preventing said fluid from being supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its closed position, v

and valve control means for selectively opening and closing said valve means, said valve control means only opening sai d valve eanswhens id anifold is near its position 0 maximum isp'acement towards said meat product,

said fluid manifold having a one-way air relief valve connected thereto for relieving air in said manifold to the atmosphere.

l3. Amachine for injecting fluids into meat products and the like, comprising,

a meat product support means,

a fluid manifold-movably mounted'adjacent said support means,

a first power means operatively connected to said fluid manifold for reciprocating said manifold towards or away from a meat product on said support means,

said fluid manifold being connected to a source of fluid under pressure, and having a plurality of injecting needles extending outwardly therefrom adapted to pierce the meat product adjacent thereto when said manifold is moved towards said meat product,

valve means operatively connected to said fluid manifold and said fluid under pressure for selectively supplying said fluid to said injecting needles, said valve means being movable from closed to open positions, said valve means permitting said fluid to be supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its open position, said valve means preventing said fluid from being supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its closed position,

and valve control means for selectively opening and closing said valve means, said valve control means only opening said valve means when said manifold is near its position of maximum displacement towards said meat product,

each of said injecting needles being slidably mounted in a bore formed in said fluid manifold, said injecting needles normally being maintained in an extended position, with respect to said fluid manifold, by the fluid pressure in said fluid manifold when said valve means is in its open position, said needles being slidably movable inwardly in said bores upon engagement with a hard object in said meat to prevent damage thereto. 

1. A machine for injecting fluids into meat products and the like, comprising, a meat product support means, a fluid manifold movably mounted adjacent said support means, a first power means operatively connected to said fluid manifold for reciprocating said manifold towards or away from a meat product on said support means, said fluid manifold being connected to a source of fluid under pressure, and having a plurality of injecting needles extending outwardly therefrom adapted to pierce the meat produce adjacent thereto when said manifold is moved towards said meat product, valve means operatively connected to said fluid manifold and said fluid under pressure for selectively supplying said fluid to said injecting needles, said valve means being movable from closed to open positions, said valve means permitting said fluid to be supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its open position, said valve means preventing said fluid from being supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its closed position, and valve control means for selectively opening and closing said valve means, said valve control means only opening said valve means when said manifold is near its position of maximum displacement towards said meat product, said valve control means comprising an actuating rod secured to said support means, said valve means being mounted on said manifold for movement therewith, said valve means comprising a first fluid compartment in fluid communication with the said source of fluid pressure, a second fluid compartment in fluid communication with said needles, a valve seat means between said first and second fluid compartments, a movable valve member adapted to close said valve seat means when in a first position to prevent fluid communication between said first and second fluid compartments, said valve member adapted to open said valve seat means when in a second position to permit fluid communication between said first and second fluid compartments, said valve member being normally positioned in its said first position, said actuating rod operatively engaging said valve member when said manifold and valve means reaches a predetermined position of maximum displacement of said manifold towards said meat product to open said valve member with respect to said valve seat means.
 2. The machine of claim 1 wherein said valve member has a shaft secured thereto and extending outwardly therefrom which is engageable by said actuating rod.
 3. The machine of claim 2 wherein said first shaft movably extends downwardly through a bore in said valve means, said first shaft having seal means thereon engaging said bore to prevent fluid from escaping from said valve means.
 4. A machine for injecting fluids into meat products and the like, comprising, a meat product support means, a fluid manifold movably mounted adjacent said support means, a first power means opEratively connected to said fluid manifold for reciprocating said manifold towards or away from a meat product on said support means, said fluid manifold being connected to a source of fluid under pressure, and having a plurality of injecting needles extending outwardly therefrom adapted to pierce the meat product adjacent thereto when said manifold is moved towards said meat product, valve means operatively connected to said fluid manifold and said fluid under pressure for selectively supplying said fluid to said injecting needles, said valve means being movable from closed to open positions, said valve means permitting said fluid to be supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its open position, said valve means preventing said fluid from being supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its closed position, and valve control means for selectively opening and closing said valve means, said valve control means only opening said valve means when said manifold is near its position of maximum displacement towards said meat product, each of said needles including opposite ends and a fluid bore extending therethrough, said fluid bore having a fluid intake orifice at one end and a fluid discharge opening at its other end, said intake orifice having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said fluid bore.
 5. The machine of claim 4 wherein each of said needles includes a tapered bore portion extending from said intake orifice to said fluid bore, said tapered bore portion increasingly tapering outwardly from the diameter of said intake orifice to the diameter of said fluid bore.
 6. The machine of claim 4 wherein said fluid intake orifice has a diameter substantially that of said one end of said needle to prevent salt crystallization on said one end of said needle around said intake orifice.
 7. The machine of claim 1 wherein said first compartment is fluidly connected to a check-valve means by a first fluid conduit, said check-valve means being fluidly connected to a fluid reservoir by a second fluid conduit, said fluid reservoir being fluidly connected to a fluid pump by a third fluid conduit, said fluid pump being fluidly connected to said first compartment of said valve means by a fourth conduit, said fluid being recirculated to said reservoir through said check-valve means when said valve member is closed, said fluid being supplied to said manifold when said valve member is open.
 8. The machine of claim 1 wherein said valve means includes a first surge chamber formed therein having first and second ends, a piston movably mounted in said first surge chamber, one of said surge chamber ends being in communication with said first fluid compartment, the other of said ends of said surge chamber being in communication with a source of air having a predetermined pressure, said piston being moved towards said other end against the air pressure therein by fluid pressure in said first fluid compartment when said valve member is closed.
 9. The machine of claim 8 wherein a check valve means is in communication with said first fluid compartment and said source of fluid pressure, said check valve means being normally positioned to cause fluid to be supplied to said first fluid compartment, said check valve means being movable to a second position upon the fluid pressure in said first fluid compartment reaching a predetermined level to cause the fluid to be recirculated to said source of fluid pressure when said predetermined fluid pressure is attained in said first fluid compartment.
 10. The machine of claim 9 wherein said check valve means comprises body portion having first and second ends with a bore extending therebetween, a plunger movably mounted in said bore and being movable from first to second positions, said plunger being yieldably maintained in said first position, one end of said bore being in communication with said source of fluid pressure and with said first fluid compartment, said body portion having a conduit Means in communication with said bore between the ends thereof, said conduit means being in operative communication with the upstream side of said source of fluid pressure, said plunger moving to its said second position upon the fluid pressure in said first fluid compartment reaching said predetermined level so that the conduit means is in operative communication with said one end of said bore to permit the fluid to be recirculated to the upstream side of said source of fluid pressure.
 11. The machine of claim 10 wherein said second other end of said bore is in communication with a source of predetermined air pressure which normally maintains said plunger in its said first position.
 12. A machine for injecting fluids into meat products and the like, comprising, a meat product support means, a fluid manifold movably mounted adjacent said support means, a first power means operatively connected to said fluid manifold for reciprocating said manifold towards or away from a meat product on said support means, said fluid manifold being connected to a source of fluid under pressure, and having a plurality of injecting needles extending outwardly therefrom adapted to pierce the meat product adjacent thereto when said manifold is moved towards said meat product, valve means operatively connected to said fluid manifold and said fluid under pressure for selectively supplying said fluid to said injecting needles, said valve means being movable from closed to open positions, said valve means permitting said fluid to be supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its open position, said valve means preventing said fluid from being supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its closed position, and valve control means for selectively opening and closing said valve means, said valve control means only opening said valve means when said manifold is near its position of maximum displacement towards said meat product, said fluid manifold having a one-way air relief valve connected thereto for relieving air in said manifold to the atmosphere.
 13. A machine for injecting fluids into meat products and the like, comprising, a meat product support means, a fluid manifold movably mounted adjacent said support means, a first power means operatively connected to said fluid manifold for reciprocating said manifold towards or away from a meat product on said support means, said fluid manifold being connected to a source of fluid under pressure, and having a plurality of injecting needles extending outwardly therefrom adapted to pierce the meat product adjacent thereto when said manifold is moved towards said meat product, valve means operatively connected to said fluid manifold and said fluid under pressure for selectively supplying said fluid to said injecting needles, said valve means being movable from closed to open positions, said valve means permitting said fluid to be supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its open position, said valve means preventing said fluid from being supplied under pressure to said injecting needles when in its closed position, and valve control means for selectively opening and closing said valve means, said valve control means only opening said valve means when said manifold is near its position of maximum displacement towards said meat product, each of said injecting needles being slidably mounted in a bore formed in said fluid manifold, said injecting needles normally being maintained in an extended position, with respect to said fluid manifold, by the fluid pressure in said fluid manifold when said valve means is in its open position, said needles being slidably movable inwardly in said bores upon engagement with a hard object in said meat to prevent damage thereto. 